Top 10: Athletes Without Championships

Number 7

Carl Yastrzemski - MLB

From 1918 to 2004, The Curse of the Bambino kept countless members of the Boston Red Sox from winning the big one — Carl Yastrzemski included.

Yaz, a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, is the last American League hitter to hit for the Triple Crown. The 18-time all-star gave his blood, sweat and tears to the Red Sox for 23 seasons and was the franchise leader in RBI’s, runs, hits, doubles, total bases, games played, extra base hits, and at-bats when he retired.

Along with the Red Sox, he had opportunities to win, but sour memories of three losses to MVP Bob Gibson in the 1967 World Series, four stinging come-from-behind wins (if you count Game 5) by the Cincinnati Reds in the 1975 World Series, and the bitter recollection of Bucky ”Bleeping” Dent ruining the Red Sox playoff hopes in 1978, meant that heartbreak reigned over triumph.

Number 6

Eric Dickerson - NFL

Eric Dickerson’s name always comes up in a discussion involving the best running backs in NFL history. He retired as the runner up in NFL history with regards to total rushing yard and he is well-remembered for setting the single-season rushing record at 2,105 yards. And while that hallowed benchmark still stands undefeated, Dickerson’s impeccable individual accomplishments never led to an opportunity to play in the Super Bowl.

Dickerson’s teams had two playoff wins, one in his 1983 rookie season and one in 1985. He didn’t get another shot in the postseason after 1987.

Number 5

Elgin Baylor - NBA

Elgin Baylor was aptly named after his father’s favorite watch and he was in fact as dependable as time. He averaged 27.4 points per game, third best all-time, in his 13 NBA seasons.

In 1958, Baylor was the first pick overall in the NBA Draft and he saved the Minneapolis Lakers franchise, which was struggling to attract fans and make money. He immediately turned their fortunes around and led the team all the way to the Finals after they finished with the NBA’s worst record in the previous season.

The Lakers went on to make eight Finals appearances in the following 12 seasons, only to lose each time. Seven of those losses were to the Boston Celtics, and the road to the magnificent Celtics-Lakers rivalry was paved.

Ironically, Baylor retired nine games into the 1971-72 season and the Lakers went on to win the Championship that season.

Number 4

Ted Williams - MLB

The Kid Ted Williams is often considered the best all-time hitter in MLB history. He finished with two AL MVP awards, two Triple Crowns and is the last player to bat over .400 in a single season. Unfortunately, the only type of champion Teddy Ballgame would become would be a six-time AL batting champion.

Like Yaz, Williams was part of the Red Sox’s lengthy Championship drought. He only played in one postseason and only managed five singles and one RBI in 25 plate appearances during the Red Sox’s 1946 World Series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Which NFL quarterback has held most passing records, but never saw the Super Bowl?